Evelyn's POV
Since Mother was busy caring for my newborn sister, Avery, I took over most of her tailoring work. Thanks to all the training she'd given me beforehand, I managed to do a pretty good job—if I do say so myself.
While we worked together, Mother suddenly said something that caught my attention.
"Evelyn, do you realize how unusual your mana reserves are?" she asked, her sharp eyes studying me carefully. "You're only at Stage Three, yet your mana rivals someone at Stage Four. Perhaps even more."
I paused, unsure how to respond. I had suspected as much, but hearing it from her made it feel real.
Mother then asked me to form a weapon for her, the way I had for Marcus and Lina. I hesitated—until I remembered the truth I had uncovered not long ago: my mother was secretly a Stage Six mage.
So, I did as she asked. I shaped mana into a long staff crowned with a diamond-shaped crystal. The body gleamed like gold, refined and regal. Then, with another thought, I shifted it into a golden bracelet, the crystal still set into it.
"Here, Mother," I said as I handed it to her. "I've inscribed it with Fireball, Minor Heal, and Heal. You can also add your own spells—it should make casting easier."
As soon as she took hold of the staff, it glowed brilliantly, resonating with her mana and cultivation. Mother's eyes widened in shock.
"Evelyn… do you realize what you've done, young lady?" she whispered.
I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she spoke, her voice was trembling.
"This is no ordinary staff. You've created a legendary-grade weapon. It grows as strong as the one wielding it… and it can even change its shape. In all my years—even as a high-ranking mage of the Council—I've never seen its like."
I froze. A legendary-grade weapon… created by me?
Mother's expression softened, but her tone grew serious.
"Promise me, Evelyn. Don't create weapons like this carelessly. Only for people you can trust with your very life."
I nodded quickly. "I promise, Mother."
Satisfied, she shifted the staff back into bracelet form and slipped it onto her left wrist. Then, to my surprise, she said:
"Since you've given me such a gift… I'll give you one in return. I'll teach you a spell beyond what a Stage Three cultivator should normally handle."
She raised her hand, mana swirling gracefully around her fingers.
"This spell is called Mirror Image. It creates a duplicate of yourself with half your strength. Normally, only someone with vast mana reserves could sustain it—but you may be capable."
My eyes lit up. "Really? Show me!"
Mother chuckled, then stepped back to give me room. She demonstrated once, her own figure splitting into two identical versions of herself, moving in perfect unison before fading away.
I took a deep breath, gathering my mana. I visualized myself splitting in two and whispered, "Mirror Image."
For a moment, nothing happened. Then a second Evelyn flickered into existence beside me. Her form was hazy at first, but then solidified—looking back at me with my own determined expression.
I couldn't help but grin. "It worked!"
The clone raised its hand and copied my gesture. Its movements were a little slower, a little stiffer, but it was me all the same.
Mother's smile carried both pride and a touch of worry.
"As expected… you really are something special, Evelyn. Just remember—power draws attention. Be cautious, even as you grow stronger."
I dismissed the clone with a thought, but my heart was still racing. I had meant to lay low in this life… yet that old habit from my past still burned within me. The desire to push further. To grow stronger. To sharpen myself, no matter what.
And I couldn't stop smiling.